Earthlite Rules All?!

[diosaalx6]

Hi everyone, short time reader, even shorter-time poster  :I've been considering getting certified for awhile now, and I've been researching a table just in case I come up with the cash to buy one.  It seems like Earthlite is all over the place, should I end up getting the Harmony 2 for a starter table?  I am a bit wary of the eBay cheap-a-thon tables, and it seems like on Craigslist and Recycler everyone ditches their Costco and Sam's Club tables the minute they save up enough for an Earthlite... Are they worth it?  I'm thinking yes, but I figure there might be a few other brands out there?   8)Lifetime warranties used to make my ears perk up, but it seems like they are always on the wood structure of massage tables only, not the vinyl?... duct taping in order in the case of a rip?  I guess I'm just tired of almost peeing myself when I see a $50 BuyItNow table on eBay only to find out that it may as well be a card table for its value in sturdiness and comfort..Any clues would be much appreciated!  Thanks for dealing with my blabbering   SydneyOH!!!  P.S.:  Memory foam cradles a good thing?  too squishy??

 

[Brettski]

Earthlite Rules All?!

Buying a good quality table is important, just like anything else. If you buy a cheap table (or car or skillet etc.) you will just need to buy another one when your cheapie gives out, hopefully not while someone is ON it! So, did you save any money? No.Earthlite seems to be the manufacturer that makes deals with schools, so you will see lots of them there. I would suggest googling a bit more and you'll find many more brands. I personally own an Oakworks Alliance CS2, metal frame. Very sturdy, great warranty, beautiful table! With a little commonsense care you won't have much of an opportunity to tear up the upholstery on your table too. You get a carrycase and keep the box it's shipped in for when you move.Good luck!Jill

 

[RockIt]

Do a search on massage tables here on the forum and you'll get tons of info.  Just make sure and extend your search to about 400 days.Also, the majority of massage table info is here in the student forum.  There is a really long thread on the many ones and opinions here somewhere.  Hopefully admin will someday make that thread a "sticky".If I find it, I'll post it, but I just don't have time right now.  If you find it, you may want to post it here on your thread as a cross link for other guests for the future, when they are reading.  I am big into cross linking!  I like stronglite.  Tempurpedic headrests leave less of a line on the face, but seem to sqoosh down to a point where the cheeks hit the wooden platform support that it connects to.  This can be a problem and cause sensitive cheekbones.  I am still trying to figure out what to do about that.  They also are quite movement oriented, which sometimes can be frustrating when turning the client prone, if you started them supine.Hope that helps!  

 

[Pompal 09.]

Earthlite Rules All?!

Do a search on massage tables here on the forum and you'll get tons of info.  Just make sure and extend your search to about 400 days.

Also, the majority of massage table info is here in the student forum.  There is a really long thread on the many ones and opinions here somewhere.  Hopefully admin will someday make that thread a "sticky".

If I find it, I'll post it, but I just don't have time right now.  If you find it, you may want to post it here on your thread as a cross link for other guests for the future, when they are reading.  I am big into cross linking!  

I like stronglite.  

Tempurpedic headrests leave less of a line on the face, but seem to sqoosh down to a point where the cheeks hit the wooden platform support that it connects to.  This can be a problem and cause sensitive cheekbones.  I am still trying to figure out what to do about that.  They also are quite movement oriented, which sometimes can be frustrating when turning the client prone, if you started them supine.

Hope that helps!  

The sqoosh problem would likely be with the density of the foam.  You might try checking out a local upholsterer and see if he/she can provide u with a better headrest.  

peace,

greg

 

[Brad S.]

Thanks for the advice, this forum is awesome!!  Lots of info on the other threads, too.  I'm thinking of getting an Athena - the breast recesses look amazing.  Squishing my chest is the only thing I can think of that bugs me about getting massages now   You guys use the headrest when the client is supine??  I hadn't experienced that before when getting a massage, the therapists have always scooted me down the table with a bolster under my neck maybe.  Makes sense to use the headrest, though.  *duh*  

 

[Pompal 09.]

Oh, am pretty neew to  massage.  I know about  upholstery because that was my dad's profession.  I do it as well, but he was very good.  I am getting more and more into the massage subject because of my martial arts background and its resulting injuries.peace,Greg

 

[Ashley]

I would NEVER use the face cradle when supine - too dangerous!  Just imagine what would happen if for some reason the face cradle fell back....OUCH!.....not to mention that I don't think I'd feel very secure like that.BTW, getting back to the topic at hand.....Earthlites and Stronglites are both really very good.  I agree with being wary of the Costco tables - I've compared them to my Earthlite and they just don't measure up.  Of course, I know someone whos daughter has a costco table and I guess she likes it, so who knows.  Right now I'm looking for a massage chair, and like you, I get pretty excited when I see the ones on e-bay for $100.  But again like you, I'm a little wary.  I think I'll try to hold out for the one I really want so I'm not having to "trade up" in a year or so.

 

[ruby99]

The sqoosh problem would likely be with the density of the foam.  You might try checking out a local upholsterer and see if he/she can provide u with a better headrest.   peace, greg

Thanks for the tip! I may try to get the headrest wood upholstered so that when the face squooshes the wood is not pushed too much on the face and keep the tempurpedic.  Good idea!Also, I don't use the face cradle when my client is supine.  I have them schhoch down onto the table.I have some good word flow today --- squoosh and scooch!  

 

[rose_32008]

RE face cradle use while supine: آ In my opinion, remember I'm in Minnesota, I feel that face cradle use while supine is a danger to the therapist......body mechanics. آ My friend Jen http://www.heavenshands.com says to position the person far enough down on the table so you can rest your entire forearms on the table. آ A good idea, esp if you plan to do a lot of neck and shoulder work. آ NOW, your table and chair height آ must work together for all this to be comfortable. آ Should get a slide rule..............mkBTW, I prefer the Earthlite table.  The cheapo at the salon has so many squeaks!  

 

[The Great Michael]

Our class (recent grads) researched a lot of tables and decided:Our school did business with Oakworks, and to order through the school was $200.00 more than avg. retail!I LOVE my Earthlite and bought it online direct from earthlite.com. Friends that have had them for years are still happy with the lifespan and all features.About facecradles:  I asked "if you could modify anything about your table, what would it be?" and other MT's recommended a memory foam face cradle.  Got mine from massagewarehouse.com and clients love it.  Hope this helps.  

 

[lilmouseketeer]

There is a fairly recent string on this topic in "Massage Techniques and Modalities". Sorry, I don't know how to do that cool cross link thing, but you could get a lot of table opinions there. Personally, I have an Oakworks table and love it. It feels solid and secure, and is very comfortable. The table has a lifetime warranty, and the upholstery has a five yr. warr. I think. Oakworks customer service is absolutely phenomenal (and no, I don't work for them  ). Good luck in your decision.

 

[Fish Lover]

A guy that was in school with me bought a table from Sam's Club to get started with. The leg broke while he was working on his wife (who has RA) and she was injured when she hit the floor and he fell on top of her. It is not worth the risk to buy a cheap table. I love my Earthlite Spirit.

 

[David P]

Tools Of the Trade

Hello, to everyone I am new to this board although I have been lurking around for about 3 months or a little less. I am also a current student in North Carolina. The school I attend started in August and we had until September 10th to purchase our tables. We was going to do a class order from Oakworks until we saw that it really was no cheaper. The school has the Stronglite tables and chairs. I along with many other class mates got a Master Massage table. I got my table in August and I really like it and my classmates all are very happy with theirs as well. The rest of the class did get the Oakworks tables and they to are very happy. I suggest if you haven't, look at the master massage tables along with all the others. The choices available overwhelmed me because I never guessed that there was that many different tables. I wish you luck in finding your table. I will tell you I have heard nothing but horror stories about the cheaper tables collapsing from everyone. I would get the best table you can afford. Good luck in choosing.